Knitting machine



April 22, 1947. F. LAMBACH KNITTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 2, 1944 HEW Patented Apr. 22, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,419,222 KNITTING MACH INE Fritz Lambach, Tenafly, N. J.

Application November 2, 1944, Serial No. 561,529

My invention relates to knitting machines, and more particularly to means for ascertaining a properly timed relationship between the operations of the various mechanisms of a'knitting machine.

In knitting machines now ordinarily made, the operations of the various mechanisms-for example the yarn feeding elements, the needles, the sinkers, the knockover bits, the fabric take-up device, and other knitting implements the knitting machine might haveare controlled by cams, pattern Wheels or the like adjustably mounted on a shaft or shafts driven by the main drive. In order to manufacture a, certain fabric of a certain quality with certain yarns by a knitting machine, it is necessary that the operations of the various mechanisms of the knitting machine are precisely timed relative to each other. A different timing of the operations of the various mechanisms, however, becomes necessary, if on the 'sameknitting machine a fabric of avdifferent quality shall be knitted, or if different yarns are to be used for the knitting of a fabric. Therefore, the cams, pattern wheels or the like actuating the various mechanisms of a knitting machine must be precisely set or reset in predetermined positions relative to each other on the shaft or shafts of the knitting machine.

In many knitting machines a great number of cams are arranged next to each other on a socalled main cam shaft; such an arrangement renders difficult the access to cams arranged in the center of the main cam shaft for a setting thereof. Furthermore, in many knitting machines, a number of cams rotate at speeds different from the speed of the majority of cams of the knitting machine, whereby the setting of the cams in the proper position relative to each other is complicated. Moreover, many cams of knitting machines have a contour which only slightly deviates from a round circumference, so

that the rise or dwell of such a cam, and consequently its position relative to the shaft and/or the remaining cams of the knitting machine, can hardly be recognized. All these features render the setting and resetting of cams, pattern wheels or the like on a shaft or shafts of a knitting machine a very diflicult and cumbersome operation.

The difficulties for a proper operation of a knitting machine outlined above are enhanced by hitherto customary insufiicient and unsatisfactory methods and means for setting and resetting the cams on a shaft or shafts of knitting machines. For example, according to a hitherto customary practice, the operator of a knitting 25 Claims.

machine scribes a line on each cam to be set or reset, in a certain relation to the contour of the cam according to instructions given to him. Obviously, the scribing of the line depends entirely on the skill of the operator, and it may readily occur, that the line is not in the exact position relative to the contour of the cam. Furthermore, it is extremely difiicult to scribe a line accurately in relation to the contour of a rather round cam. Moreover, it is extremely unlikely, that the operator scribes the line on exactly the same position relative to the contour of the cam each time when the cam is to be set or reset. After the time consuming scribing of such a line on each cam to be set or reset, the cam loosely arranged on a shaft is rotated on the shaft, until the scribed line is opposite a pointer held in a certain position, whereupon the cam is secured to the shaft in the thus set position. As will be apparent from the foregoing, the setting of cams on a knitting machine by scribing of lines or by any other means depending on the skill of the operator for the observation of the contour or a point of the contour of the cam relative to a fixed point provides only for a rather coarse adjustment of the cams and does not assure repeated identical settings of the cams, and the best knitting machines with cams thus set can hardly be operated with satisfactory results. 7

An object of the present invention is to provide a knitting machine, wherein the operation of the various mechanism may be precisely timed relative to each other.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a knitting machine, wherein the cams or the like may be readily set in a short time in accurate positions relative to each other for the timing of the operations of the various mechanisms.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a knitting machine, the cams of which may be repeatedly set and reset in identical positions relative to each other.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a knitting machine, the cams of which permit a, ready attachment of a movable gauge member of a cam position indicator, which may be used either for an accurate setting of the cams in predetermined positions or for an indication of the set position of the cams on the shaft or shafts of the knitting machine for a ready check up of the operations of the mechanisms of the machine.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cam position indicator which may -ner known per se.

be readily attached to cams of a knitting machine irrespective of the location of the cams in the knitting machine.

My invention consists in certain novel features of construction of my improvements as will be hereinafter fully described.

Above mentioned objects and advantages of the invention as well as other objects and advantages will be more fully disclosed in the following specification reference being 'had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatical view of parts of a knitting machine illustrating the attachment of cam position indicators to cams thereof,

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 1, in enlarged scale,

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the stationary gauge member of the cam position indicator shown in Fig. 2,

g. '4 is a back perspective view of the movable gauge member of the cam position indicator shown in Fig. 2,

Fig. '5 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a different embodiment of a cam position indicator attached to a cam of a knitting machine, and

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of a partly finished blank used for the manufacture of the cam shown in Fig. 2.

With reference to Fig. 1 diagrammatically illustrating only those parts of a warp knitting machine which are necessary for an understanding of the invention, it is understood that the arrangements and proportions shown in said figure are chosen for a better explanation of the invention, and that, in practice, the arrangements and proportions of these parts may differ from that shown in said figure without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In said Fig. 1, It indicates a main cam shaft journalled in suitable bearings of a frame generally indicated by l2. The main cam shaft IE! driven by a drive (not shown) carries a plurality of cams, for example the needle bar cams Mn, the sinker bar .A gear i8 keyed to the main cam shaft in is in mesh with a gear 20 keyed to a shaft 22 journalled in suitable bearings of the frame 12. A worm 124 keyed to said shaft 22 is in mesh with a worm gear 25 secured to a shaft 2.8 rotatably mounted in bearings of the frame l2. Said shaft 28 carries pattern wheels 38 (only one being shown in Fig. 19 for the actuation of the guide bars .in a man- Owing to the worm and worm gear arrangement, the pattern wheels 3i! rotate at a slower speed than the cams 1 in, Ms of the knitting'machine.

According to the invention, each of the cams Hm, I is to be set :in a predetermined position on the main cam shaft H3 .is provided at one ofits sidesurfaces with spaced engaging means or engaging .holes .32 (see Figs. 2 and .6) which are arranged in a predetermined position relative to the contour of "the cam. Likewise, each pattern wheel 3!! to beset on the shaft 213 has on one of its side surfaces spaced engaging holes it? (see Fig. '1) which are arranged in a predetermined position relative to the contour Of the pattern wheel. When it is desired to set or reset the cams and pattern Wheels of the knitting machine in a predeterminedpositionrelative to each other, so as to obtain a predetermined timed operation of the various mechanisms of the knitting machine, relative to each other, said engaging means 32 or I32 may be used for a temporary connection of a cam position indicator to be described hereinafter.

In Fig. 2, 35 generally indicates an embodiment of a cam position indicator, which for example may be used for the setting of the cams Ms, l4t, Mn, My, lip on the main cam shaft 1B. Said cam position indicator 36 comprises a movable gauge member 38 made of a fiat piece of material and a stationary gauge member 46 in the shape of a pointer. The movable gauge member or plate 38 is provided with a graduated scale 42 for cooperation with the pointer 46. Furthermore, the movable gauge member or plate 38 has a forked end portion provided with complementary spaced engaging means or engaging pins 44 extending from its back-side as best shown in Fig. :4. Said complementary spaced engaging pins may be inserted into the spaced engaging holes 32 at a side surface of a cam, so that, upon an attachment of the movable gauge member 38, the latter is positively coupled with the cam .and held in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam as shown in Fig. 2. As will be apparent from above, the movable gauge member 38 may be readily attached to the side surface of any of the cams arranged next to each other on the main cam shaft irrespective of the location of the cam on the shaft; the portion of the movable gauge member 33 engaging the side surface of a cam is 112.11 and its forked end is of such a shape, that it renders possible a movement of the movable gauge member into its coupling position with a cam in a direction at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the shaft i0 carrying the cam without interference with said shaft. The stationary gauge member or pointer 49 may be held in a predetermined position relative to the shaft iii carrying the cam to be set thereon by supporting means generally indicated by M5 in Figs. 2 and 3. Said supporting means 45 comprise a holder 48 slidably and ad- .j-ustably mounted on clamping means 53, which may be secured to a fixed part of the knitting machine by means of a set screw 52. For example, the clamping means 5!? may be secured to a shaft 54 carrying a follower of one of the cam mechanisms or to a rod placed on the frame of the machine or to a stationary part of the frame of the machine. The holder 48 slidably in vertical direction may be held in its adjusted position by .means of screws 56. The pointer 40 slidably and adjustably in a horzontal position on the holder QB may be held in an adjusted position by means of screws 58. Above described cam position indicator 36 may be used in conjunction with the cams Ms, hit of the warp knitti g machine in the following manner;

.A table is given to the operator of the machine, indicating the position of the pointer 40 relative to the shaft iii and indicating a certain value for each cam to be set for a certain operation of the knitting machine. For example, such a table may indicate that the stationary gauge member or pointer it! is to be held in such a position by the s pportin means t 6, that the point of the point- .er :is a horizontal p ane with the .center of shaft 19 as shown in Fig. 2, and such a table may indicate the Value 0 for the sinker bar cams Ms, the val-Lie +3 for the needle bar cams Mn, the value -!7 for the take-up cam Ni, and other values for other came. The operator attaches the supporting means 46 of the stationary gauge member 40 to a fixed part of the knitting machine, for example to the'shaft 54 opposite the cam to be set, for example a sinker bar'cam Ids, and adjusts the pointer 40 in the proper position relative to the shaft Iii as shown in Fig. 2. Furthermore, the movable gauge member 38 is attached to the sinker bar cam his, loosened on the shaft I0. Thereupon, the sinker bar cam Ms is displaced relative to the shaft Iii by rotating the cam on the shaft held in its position, until the pointer '40 co-operating with the graduated scale of the movable gauge member 38 indicates the value as shown in Fig. 2. Now, the sinker bar cam its is in the position to be set and may be tightened on the shaft ill by means of a set screw 60 engaged with registering holes EI and 63 of a split portion of the cam; the threaded end of said set screw is threaded into the hole 63. After the setting of the first cam, the next cam may be set in similar manner. The shaft it remains in its position and the cam position indicator 36 is attached to the next cam, for example the take-up cam I At. This take-up cam hit is tightened on the shaft, when the cooperating gauge members 4Q, :32 of the cam position indicator indicate the value 7. Obviously, when each cam of the knitting machine. is set in the described manner, according to the values on the table, the cams will be in accurate predetermined positions relative to each other on the knitting machine, so that an accurate timed operation of the various mechanisms of the knitting machine relative to each other is assured. Now, if for a different operation of the knitting machine, for example for the manufacture of a fabric of different quality, some of the cams have to be set in a different position While some of the cams remain in the same position according to a table, given to the operator, the operator attaches the cam position indicator 36 to a cam remaining in its position on the shaft. This particular cam is not loosened, and the operator rotates the shaft by hand, until the cam position indicator indicates the value pertaining to the setting position of said particular cam. Now a cam to be set in a different position for such a different operation of the knitting machine is loosened and the cam position indicator 36 is attached to such a cam, which is rotated relative to the shaft, until the cam position indicator indicates the value pertaining to said particular cam for the different operation of the knitting machine. All cams to be set in different positions may be set by means of the cam position indicator 35 in a similar manner.

tion of the cam position indicator, it is assumed that the same cam position indicator is used for all cams on the shaft III. In such a case, of course, the spaced engaging holes 32 of all cams are in the same position relative to the shaft Iii,

when the cooperating gauge members indicate a certain value, for example thevalue 0. If desired, however, different cam position indicators may be used for different types of cams. ,For example a first cam position indicator may be used for the setting of the set of sinker bar cams Ids, a secondcam position indicator may beused 6 for the setting of the needle bar cams In, etc. In such a case, the spaced engaging holes of all cams of a set of cams are in the same position relative to the shaft II), when the cam position chine.

of a knitting machine.

indicator indicates a certain value, but the spaced engaging holes of the cams of one set of cams may be in a different position relative to the shaft than the spaced engaging holes of the cams of another set of cams, when the cam position indicators indicate a certain value. I

If the cam position indicator is to be used only for a certain knitting machine, the adjustable supporting means 6-8 shown in Fig. 2 may be replaced by a non-adjustable supporting means, so that the pointer 49 is automatically brought into the proper position relative to the shaft I0, when the supporting means 46 is attached to a fixed part of the knitting machine. Furthermore, the movable gauge member 38 must not necessarily be in the shape of a plate, it could be in any other suitable shape, if desired. Preferably, however, the portion of the movable gauge member carrying the complementary engaging pins is flat and/or of such a shape that it permits a movement of the movable gauge member into its coupling position with a cam in a sidewise direction substantially parallel to the side surface of the cam. Moreover, the movable gauge member could be in the shape of a pointer or could carry a pointer instead of a graduated scale; in such a case, of course, the stationary gauge member would carry the graduated scale.

According to Fig, 1, a somewhat difierent embodiment of a cam position indicator I36 is used for the setting of the pattern wheels 30. Said cam position indicator I36 comprises a movable gauge member I38 with spaced complementary engaging pins substantially corresponding to the movable gauge member 33 of the cam position indicator 36, described above. The stationary gauge member, however, comprises a supporting means I46 in the shape of a bar having a hooklike portion I 5!} for engagement with the shaft 28 carrying the pattern wheels 30. A stationary gauge member or pointer I46 is adjustably mounted on said supporting means M5. In use, the movable gauge member i355 is attached to the side surface of a pattern wheel 30 by the insertion of its engaging pins into the engaging holes I32, and the supporting means let isengaged with the shaft 28 while its free end rests on a stationary part of the frame I2 of the ma- The cam position indicator I35, the pointer use of which cooperates with the graduated scale I42, may be used in the same manner as the cam position indicator 36 described above.

Fig. 5 illustrates a different embodiment of a cam position indicator, generally indicated by 236, which may be used in conjunction with cams or pattern wheels or the like of a knitting machine. According to Fig. 5,. the movable gauge member 238 of the cam position indicator is in the shape of a bar having spaced engaging pins for engagement with spaced engaging holes 232 of a cam 2 Id, adjustably mounted on a shaft 2H] The stationary gauge member of the cam position indicator shown in Fig. 6 comprises a supporting means 259, which may be attached to a stationary or fixed part of the knitting machine by a set screw 252 and has a recess 262 for the reception of one or the other of a series of gauge blocks 2 of different size. When the cam position indicator according to Fig. 5 is used, the support 250 is held in a predetermined position relative to the shaft 2),

and the gauge block 2563 is arranged in such a way, that it is in the path of the movable gauge member 235. The operator places a gauge block 2453 of a certain size according to the table given to him on the support 250, and the position of :the cam 2M, in which the cam is to be set, is determined by an abutment of the movable gauge member 233 against the gauge block 240. As will be readily understood, the cam may be set in a different position on the shaft, when a gauge block :of different size is used. If, for example, a gauge block of smaller size is used as indicated by dash lines in Fig. 5, the cam will be in a different position relative to the shaft, when the movable gauge member 238 hits such a smaller gauge block.

The drawings illustrate various embodiments of cam position indicators for use in conjunction with a knitting machine having cams with engaging means by way of example only. It is understood, that the movable and stationary gauge members of the cam position indicators according to the invention may be of different construction. For example, the stationary gauge member mayhave a support for a connection with the floor rather than for a connection with a stationary or fixed part of the knitting machine. Furthermore, the engaging means of the cams or the like may be arranged at any other place of the cam than at the side surface thereof as shown in the'drawings; of course, wherever the engaging means are arranged, they must be in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam. Moreover, engaging means of different shape and number may be arranged on the cams or the like instead of the spaced engaging holes shown in the drawings. engaging hole of polygonal cross-section could be arranged .on the cams for holding the movable gauge member having a complementary engaging pin in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam. Of course the number, shape, and arrangement of the complementary engaging means on the movable gauge member corresponds to that of the engaging means on the cams or the like. Moreover, it is understood, that the invention is not limited to a warp knitting machine, diagrammatically shown in Fig. 1, that, however, the invention may be applied to any other type of knitting machines.

As will be apparent from above, the invention overcomes the difficulties hitherto encountered in the operation of knitting machines, as the invention renders possible a perfectly timed cooperation of the various intricate mechanisms of i a knitting machine by an accurate setting of the cams or the like. Furthermore, the invention permits a checking of the operation of a knitting machine by reading off the value indicated by the gauge members of the cam position indicator attached to 'a'cam for a determination of the set position of such a cam.

Fig. 6 explains a method for the manufacture of a cam or the like for a knitting machine according to the invention, the cams of which are provided with spaced engaging holes for temporary connection with a cam position indicator. Fig. 6 illustrates in full lines a partly finished blank I to be used for the manufacture of a cam, for example the cam 14s shown in Fig. 2. The blank 14' has a center bore [5. During the manufacture of the cam two holes 32 are drilled into a side surface of the blank in a predetermined accurate relation to the center I! of the bore l5. Thereupon, the blank .is milled-by lo- For example a single.

cating from said holes 32, so that the contour, shown in dash and'dot lines of the'cam Ms has a definite relation to the holes 32. Consequently, the spaced holes 32 are in a predetermined position, relative to the center I! and to the contour of the finished cam his. Said holes 32 are the engaging holes for engagement with the engaging pins of the movable gauge member of the cam position indicator as described above.

I have described preferred embodiments of my invention, but it is understood, that numerous changes and omissions may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. A knitting machine with cams or the like for temporary connection with the movable gauge member .of a cam position indicator, comprising: at least one cam shaft, a plurality of cams for "the actuation of various mechanisms of the knitting machine, said cams being adjustably mounted on said shaft for the timing of the operations of said mechanisms relative to each other, and at least one engaging means arranged on each cam at a point from which the contour of the cam is located during the .manufacture thereof whereby said engaging means is arranged in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam for a temporary positive coupling of the movable gauge member of the cam position indicator with the cam in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam.

2. A knitting machine with cams or the like for temporary connection with the movable gauge member of a cam position indicator, comprising: at least one cam shaft, a plurality of cams for the actuation of various mechanisms of the knitting machine, said cams being adjustably mounted on said cam shaft for the timing of the operations of said mechanisms relative to each other, and at least one engaging means arranged on a side surface of each cam at a point from which the contour of the cam is located during the manufacture thereof whereby said engaging means is arranged in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam for a temporary positive coupling of the movable gauge member of the cam position indicator with the cam in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam.

3. In a knitting machine as claimed in claim 2, each adjustable cam having spaced engaging holes on the side surface from which the contour of the cam is located during the manufacture thereof whereby said engaging holes are arranged in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam.

4-. The combination of a knitting machine having at least one cam shaft, a plurality of cams for the actuation of various mechanisms of the knitting machine, said cams being adjustably mounted on said cam shaft for the timing of the operations of said mechanisms relative to each other, engaging means arranged on each cam in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam, a cam position indicator including a movable gauge member and a stationary gauge member, complementary engaging means arranged on said movable gauge member for a temporary positive coupling with engaging means on a cam so as to hold said movable gauge member in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam, and supporting means associated with said stationary gauge member for a temporary holding thereof ina predetermined 9 position relative to said'shaft for cooperation with said movable gauge member.

5. The combination of a knitting machine having at least one cam shaft, a plurality of cams for the actuation of various mechanisms of the knitting machine, said cams being adjustably mounted on said cam shaft for the timing of the operations of said mechanisms relative to each other, engaging means arranged on each cam in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam, a cam position indicator including a movable gauge member and a stationary gauge member, complementary engaging means arranged on said movable gauge member for atemporary. positive coupling with engaging means on a cam so as to hold said movable gauge member in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam, the portion of the movable gauge member carrying said complementary engaging means being of a shape rendering possible for an attachment of the movable gauge member to any of said plurality of cams a movement of said movable gauge member in a direction at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the shaft carrying such a cam, and supporting means associated with said stationary gauge member for a temporary holding thereof in a predetermined position relative to said shaft for cooperation with said movable gauge member.

6. The combination of a knitting machine hav-. ing at least one cam shaft, a plurality of cams for the actuation of various mechanisms of the knitting machine, said cams being adjustably mounted on said cam shaft for the timing of the operations of said mechanisms relative to each other, engaging means arranged on each cam in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam, a cam position indicator including a movable gauge member and a stationary gauge member, complementary engaging means arranged on said movable gauge member for a temporary positive coupling with engaging means on a cam so as to hold said movable gauge member in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam, said movable gauge member being made of a substantially fiat piece of material, and supporting means associated with said stationary gauge member for a temporary holding thereof in a predetermined position relative to saidshaft for cooperation with said movable gauge member. 1 I '7. The combination of a knitting machine having at-least one cam shaft, a plurality of cams for the actuation of various mechanisms of the knitting machine, said cams being adjustably mounted on said cam shaft for the timing of the operations of said mechanisms relative to each other, engaging means arranged on each cam in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam, a cam position indicator including a movable gauge member and a stationary gauge member, complementary engaging means arranged on said movable gauge member for a temporary positive coupling with engaging means on a cam so as to hold said movable gauge member in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam, the portion of the movable gauge member carrying said complementary engaging means being flat and being of a shape rendering possible for an attachment of the movable gauge member to any of said plurality of cams a movement of said movable gauge member in a direction at an angle to the longitudinal aXis of the shaft carrying such a cam, and supporting means associated with said stationary gauge member 10 for a temporary holding thereof in a predetermined position relative to said shaft for cooperation with said movable gauge member.

8. The combination of a knitting machine having at least one cam shaft, a plurality of cams for the actuation of various mechanisms of the knitting machine, said cams being adjustably mounted on said cam shaft for the timing of the operations of said mechanisms relative to each other, engaging means arranged on a side surface of each cam in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam, a cam position indicator including a movable gauge member and a' stationary gauge member, complementary engaging means arranged on said movable gauge member for a temporary positive coupling with engaging means on the side surface of a cam so as to hold said movable gauge member in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam, and supporting means associated with said stationary gauge member for a temporary holding thereof in a predetermined position relative to said shaft for cooperation with said movable gauge member.

9. The combination of a knitting machine having at least one cam shaft, a plurality of cams for the actuation of various mechanisms of the knitting machine, said cams being adjustably mounted on said cam shaft for the timing of the operations of said mechanisms relative to each other, each cam having spaced engaging holes on a side surface in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam position indicator including a movable gauge member and a stationary gauge member, complementary spaced engaging pins arranged on said movable gauge member for a temporary positive coupling with spaced engaging holes on the side surface of a cam so as to hold said movable gauge member in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam, and supporting means associated with said stationary gauge member for a temporary, holding thereof in a predetermined position "relative to said shaft for cooperation with said movable gauge member.

10..The combination of a knitting machine having at least one cam shaft, a plurality of cams for the actuation of various mechanisms of the knitting machine, said cams being adjustably mounted on said cam shaft for the timing of the operations of said mechanism relative to each other, engaging means arranged on each cam in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam, a cam position indicator including a movable gauge member and a stationary gauge member, complementary engaging means arranged on said movable gauge member for a temporary positive coupling with engaging means on a cam so as to hold said movable gauge member in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam, supporting means associated with said stationary gauge member for a temporary holding thereof in a predetermined position relative to said shaft for cooperation with said movable gauge member, said stationary gauge member being adjustably mounted on said supporting means, and holding means foriholding said stationary gauge member in an adjusted position. I

11. The combination of a knitting machine having at least one cam shaft, a plurality of cams for the actuation of various mechanisms of the knitting machine, said cams being adjustably mounted on said cam shaft for the timing of the operations of. said mechanisms relative to each other, engaging means arranged on each cam in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam, a cam position indicator including a movable gauge member and a stationary gauge member, complementary engaging means arranged on said movable auge member for a temporary positive coupling with engaging means on a cam so as to hold said movable gauge member in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam, supporting means carrying said stationary gauge member, and

clamping means arranged on said supporting means for a temporary connection thereof with a fixed part of the knitting machine so as to hold the stationary gauge member in a predetermined position relative to said shaft for cooperation with said movable gauge member.

v12. The combination of a knitting machine having at least one cam shaft, a plurality of cams for the actuation of various mechanisms of the knitting machine, said cams being adiustably mounted on said cam shaft for the timing of the operations of said mechanisms relative to each other, engaging means arranged on each cam in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam, a cam position indicator including a movable gauge member and a stationary gauge member, complementary engaging means arranged on said movable gauge member for a temporary positive coupling With engaging means on a cam so as to hold said movable gauge member in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam, and supporting means carrying said stationary gauge member, a portion of said supportingmeans being shaped for a temporary engagement with said shaft, and another portion of said supporting means being shaped for engagement with a fixed part of the knitting machine so as to hold the stationary gauge member in a. predetermined position relative to said I shaft for cooperation with said movable gauge member.

13. The combination of a knitting machine having at least one cam shaft, a plurality of cams for the actuation of various mechanisms. of the knitting, machine, said cams being adjustably mounted on said cam shaft for the timing of the operations of said mechanisms relative to each other, engaging means arranged on each cam in a, predetermined position relative to the contour of the earn, a cam position indicator including a movable gauge member and a stationary gauge member, a first indicating means arranged on said movable gauge member, a second indicating means arranged on said stationary gauge member, complementary engaging means arranged on said movable gauge member for a temporary positive coupling with engaging means on a cam so as to hold said movable gauge member in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam, and supporting means associated with said stationary gauge member for a temporary holding thereof in a predetermined position relative to said shaft for cooperation of said second. indicating means with said first indicating means.

14 The combination of a knitting machine having at least one cam shaft, a plurality of cams for the actuation of various mechanisms of the, knitting machine, said cams being adjustably mounted on said cam shaft for the timing of the operations of said mechanisms relative to each other, engaging means arranged on each cam ina predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam, a cam position indicator including a movable gauge member and a stationarygauge member, a graduated scale arranged on said movable gauge member, a pointer arranged on said stationary gauge member, complementary engaging means arranged on said movable gauge member for a temporary positive coupling with engaging means on a cam so as to hold said movable gauge member in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam, and supporting means associated with said stationary gauge member for a temporary holding thereof in a predetermined position relative to said shaft for cooperation of said pointer with said graduated scale.

15. The, combination of a knitting machine having at least one cam shaft, a plurality of cams for the actuation of various mechanisms of the knitting machine, said cams being adjustably mounted on said cam shaft for the timing of the operations of, said mechanisms relative to each other, each cam having spaced engaging holes on a side surface in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam, a cam position indicator including a movable gauge member and a stationary gauge member, said movable gauge member being made of a substantially flat piece of material, a graduated scale arranged on said movable gauge member, a pointer arranged on said stationary gauge member, complementary engaging means arranged on said movable gauge member for a temporary positive coupling with engaging means on the side surface of a cam so as to hold said movable gauge member in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam, and supporting means associated with said stationary gauge member for a temporary holding thereof in a predetermined position relative to said shaft for cooperation of said pointer with said graduated scale.

16. The combination of a knitting machine having at least one cam shaft, a plurality of cams for the actuation of various mechanisms of the knitting machine, said cams being adjustably mounted on said cam shaft for the timing of the operations of said mechanisms relative to each other, engaging means arrangedoneach, cam in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam, a cam position indicator including a movable gauge member and a stationary gauge member, one of said gauge members including a gauge block exchangeably mounted thereon, com.- plementary engaging means arranged on said movable gauge member for a temporary positive coupling with engaging means on a cam so as to hold said movable gauge member in a predetermined position relative to the contour of the cam, and supporting means associated with said stationary gauge member for a temporary'holding thereof in'a predetermined position relative to said shaft for abutting cooperation with said movable gauge member.

17. A cam position indicator for temporary connection with a cam or the like of a knitting machine, wherein several cams or the like provided with engaging means in a predetermined position relative to their contour are adjustably mounted on at least one shaft for actuation of various mechanisms'in timed relationship relative to each other, said cam position indicator comprising: a stationary gauge member, a movable gauge member, complementary engaging means arranged on said movable gauge member for temporary positive coupling With engagingmeans on a cam so as to hold said movable gauge member in a predetermined position relative to the contour ofthe cam, the portion of said movable gauge member carrying said complementary engaging means being of a shape rendering possible for an attachment of the movable gauge member to any of said plurality of cams a movement of said movable gauge member in a direction at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the shaft carrying such a cam, and supporting means associated with said stationary gauge member for a temporary holding thereof in a predetermined position relative to the shaft of the knitting machine for cooperation with said movable gauge member.

18. In a cam position indicator for temporary connection with a cam or the like of a knitting machine as claimed in claim 1'7, said movable gauge member being made of a substantially flat piece of material.

19. In a cam position indicator for temporary connection with a cam or the like of a knitting machine, wherein several cams or the like are provided with spaced engaging holes on their side surfaces in a predetermined position relative to their contour as claimed in claim 1'7, said complementary engaging means on the movable gauge member being. in the shape of spaced engaging pins.

20. In a cam position indicator for temporary connection with a cam or the like of a knitting machine as claimed in claim 17, said stationary gauge member being adjustably mounted on said supporting means, and holding means for holding said stationary gauge member in an adjusted position.

21. In a cam position indicator for temporary connection with a cam or the like of a knitting machine as claimed in claim 17, said supporting means carrying said stationary gauge member, and clamping means arranged on said supporting means for a temporary connection thereof with a fixed part of the knitting machine.

22. In a cam position indicator for temporary connection with a cam or the like of a knitting machine as claimed in claim 1'7, said supporting means carrying said stationary gauge member, a portion of said supporting means being shaped for a temporary engagement with the shaft of the knitting machine, and another portion of said supporting means being shaped for engagement with a fixed part of the knitting machine.

23. In combination with a cam position indicator for temporary connection with a cam or the like of a knitting machine as claimed in claim 17, a first indicating means arranged on said movable gauge member, and a second indicating means arranged on said stationary gauge member for cooperation with said first indicating means.

24. In combination with a cam position indicator for temporary connection with a cam or the like of a knitting machine as claimed in claim 17, a graduated scale arranged on one of said gauge members, and a pointer arranged on the other gauge member for cooperation with said graduated scale.

25. In combination with a cam position indicator'for temporary connection with a cam or the like of a knitting machine as claimed in claim 17, a gauge block exchangeably mounted on one of said gauge members for abutting cooperation with the other gauge member.

FRITZ LAMBACH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:'

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,623,603 Springthorpe Apr. 5, 1927 1,915,415 Gift June 27, 1933 1,980,209 Kinsella et a1 Nov. 13, 1934 2,187,794 Schmidt Jan. 23, 1940 2,318,256 Oliver May 4, 1943 

